A few weeks ago, SafetyXChange members shared some advice for new supervisors. Someone said that you should not be afraid to ask for help. I fully agree. Ignorance is not bliss! This is especially true of safety. After all, failing to ask about something you don't know could get someone hurt. My advice: Network, Network, Network. Here's what I did when first starting out and what I learned about the value of networking.

The Early Days of Safety

I came from a strong process operations background. So when I first started in safety, I thought that I pretty well knew nearly everything. But I soon found out that there was a whole lot that I didn't know.

I started in the safety field prior to OSHA and a lot of what I learned was through the school of hard knocks. That is not the way to learn or to be successful. There was very little out there in the way of publications and training at the time, outside of the National Safety Council and insurance carriers.

But I found a little old book that I used as my safety bible; it was called the Best Safety Directory. I took it along with me everywhere I went. When I needed to know something, I would look up the information in the book. If I couldn't find what I needed, I would call a company (cold turkey) that dealt with the matter and politely explain who I was and ask if I could please speak to someone who could help me out. Many companies did not have a safety representative and a lot of the companies that did had their representatives doing other jobs too.

The 5 Rules of Networking

That was my introduction to networking. I never forgot what those people taught me and how they helped me time and again. Here are the five things I learned about networking:

1. You Can Network Everywhere. There are many ways to establish contact with people. You can network via the phone, e-mail, trade publications, trade shows, etc.

2. Say Thank You. When someone helps you out, be sure to thank them for their advice and assistance.

3. Stay in Touch. Be sure to maintain regular communication with your contacts. It's impolite to call only when you need something.

4. Give Credit Where Credit Is Due. If someone has taken the time to help you out, make sure that they receive proper appreciation. Give recognition and credit to your contacts for their contributions.

5. Share the Lessons You Learn. Don't hoard safety information. If you've learned something through your networking efforts, speak up. Share it with your colleagues, share it on SafetyXChange, share it with your community. In today's world of technology, the access we have to information is absolutely unbelievable. Take advantage of this access to improve the safety of your employees and loved ones.

Conclusion

I have always been grateful to the people who helped me throughout my career. I made a vow that I would always help anyone who asked, and especially those that valued and appreciated the free advice and guidance. SafetyXChange, of course, is one place that new safety supervisors can turn to for free help and advice. As a member of SafetyXChange, I share my advice through articles. But I'm happy to help out more if I can. If you're a new supervisor and you need a hand with something, please contact me. I can be reached at 713-255-6434 or reggie_brown@fwc.com.

SAXCIES PROFILE

Last Year's Winner for Best New Safety Product

Criteria: The Best New Safety Product is awarded to an innovative product or service that enhances health and safety in and out of the workplace, as voted by the members of SafetyXChange.

The 2006 Winner: First Voice - Self-Contained Emergency Treatment (SET) System

Profile: Best New Safety Product is different from the other Saxcies in that it's the only Saxcie decided by member vote. Last year, there were 10 finalists. It was a close vote. But in the end, the winner was a unique new first aid device known as First Voice.

It was a great choice. First Voice started with an observation. Annette Carter was a flight nurse who responded to medical emergencies. When she'd touch down at the scene of an emergency, she'd find more often than not that the victim had received no, inadequate or even harmful treatment. The problem: People on the scene lacked the information and supplies necessary to stabilize the victim until help could arrive. Sadly, therefore, opportunities to save the victim's life or prevent serious injury were lost. Nurse Carter saw how the AED had saved victims of cardiac arrest. A light bulb went off. "Let's use the same concept and technology to save victims of other kinds of medical emergency," she resolved.

The result is First Voice. First Voice is a smart device that provides interactive voice protocols for more than 30 medical emergencies including burns, broken bones, severe bleeding, diabetic and seizure emergencies, heart attack, stroke, and breathing emergencies. First Voice calmly talks users through CPR, counts out compressions, and integrates with the use of AEDs. The system comes with pre-packaged supplies color-coded to the trauma buttons so that responders have everything needed to help stabilize a situation until advanced care arrives.

First Voice looks like a child's toy - a blue box with colorful buttons. But it this simplicity that forms the essence of First Voice and gives it the power to make it possible for others to save lives.

Since winning the first Best New Safety Product Saxcie, we're told that the success of First Voice has led to demand for other emergency instruction devices, such as Think Safe's newest offering, CPR Teddy, a smart training tool for child/infant CPR.

HEALTH AND SAFETY QUIZ AND CONTEST
What's Your Emergency Response IQ?

By Catherine Jones

Do your employees know what to do if a customer falls to a ground unconscious? What if a member of your crew cut himself severely or had a seizure? Would you workers know how to react if they were involved in a collision on a remote stretch of highway? The creators of First Voice invite SafetyXChange members to take an Emergency Response IQ Test to find out what to do and what NOT to do.

Those who answer correctly will be entered into a draw to win First Voice ResQR software. This step-by-step first aid software turns your notebook, PC, Pocket PC or smart phone into a life-saving device! Contains the same protocols used in the First Voice Emergency Instruction Device covering over 30 medical emergencies. Exceptional tool for first aid training used by companies, schools, community centers, and volunteer EMS/first responder agencies nationwide. This prize has a $99 value and is Windows compatible.

The correct answers and the contest winner will be announced in next Thursday's SafetyXChange.

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